Medal "For Courage": the Soviet past and the Russian present

The medal "For Courage" was one of the oldest regalia of the Soviet state. And the oldest of them survived until 1991. The establishment of this award was held in 1938 in accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

According to the idea of the government, the medal "For Courage" was to be given to citizens of the country who displayed personal courage during the execution of their military duty - in battles for the Motherland and against the enemies of the socialist revolution. It should be noted that in the mid-thirties the probability of counter-revolution was still quite high. And in the last two years of the decade, the threat from Nazi Germany became obvious. So brave heroes of the country were really needed. The medal "For Courage" has been the highest regalia in the system of Soviet awards since its inception. And I must say that it was valued among the military, and indeed in the people is absolutely deserved. Unlike many other awards that were awarded for participation in certain events, those awarded with the Medal for Courage could indeed boast of their personal courage and outstanding successes in military affairs.

From the very moment of its establishment and up to the German invasion, the award was given to some 26,000 Soviet servicemen. As a rule, they were distinguished in the Soviet-Finnish war and battles near the Khalkhin-Gol river. The Great Patriotic War itself was in itself a time of heroes who defended victory at the front and in the rear. Not surprisingly, more than 4 million people were awarded the highest military award of the country. Of course, in the non-military time it was handed out much less often. So, until 1977, the number marked by valor increased to only 4.5 million. However, the war did not take long to wait, and with it the courageous fighters. During the ten-year battles in Afghanistan, the medal "For Courage" has regained many worthy owners. However, this war became one of the stones that knocked out the Soviet system. In 1991, the Soviet Union ceases to exist, and with it, its insignia.

New life in a new country

Regalia was forgotten, becoming for a couple of years only a memory of the prowess of the past. However, the will of the Russian government decided to restore it, which occurred on March 2, 1994 after the relevant Presidential Decree. The appearance of the medal was almost unchanged in a sign of respect for past victories. The only thing was, of course, was removed the inscription "USSR" and slightly reduced its size in diameter. A more important change occurred in the conditions of awarding this distinction. If earlier the medal was given only to servicemen, now its coverage has expanded. It can also be awarded to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and people of other equally important professions (medal "For courage" in a fire, during detention, etc.). In addition, today all citizens who have demonstrated personal courage in protecting the Russian Federation and its state interests from external and internal enemies can receive a regalia.